Most of my readers know about bulimia, a serious eating disorder characterized by a binge-purge way of life where the "addict" compulsively gorges large amounts of food (often up to1000-5000 calories of nutrient free snacks and desserts) then gets rid of the potential weight building calories by vomiting and/or using laxatives. They also may recognize the exercise addict whose day is filled with so many hours of exercise and/or weight training it interferes with every other area of their life.

But too few people, including the exercise instructors who are the leading deliverers of the health message, are loathe to consider that we are a nation engaging, to some degree, in an equally dangerous eating disorder called exercise bulimia. In this syndrome a surplus, but not severely excessive, amount of calories are consumed (they call it overeating) then tempered with a punishing exercise routine to burn them off.

Exercise bulimia, like most eating disorders, is rooted in our national mania for leanness. Thanks to a media that perpetuates unreasonable standards for women, and now men, we are a nation of dieters. People who go "over the edge" in their belief that they are defective if their body isn't perfect are a setup for exercise bulimia.

Exercise bulimia usually begins when a dieter discovers that exercise generates a feeling of well being, self confidence AND weight loss. However, because eating habits haven't been tempered, there is an increased focus on using exercise (sometimes combined with eating very little) to manage weight. Classically, when calories are consumed there is a mental focus on planning the next exercise period and, when exercising, the intensity and length of the session is about getting rid of calories consumed since the last exercise bout. When this habit shifts to an obsession (mental tension regarding the need to keep this balance) chances are exercise bulimia, a "secret" disease, is close at hand. Often, exercise is excessive, predisposing the dieter to injury and an exercise addiction. These are serious health hazards that can take years of counseling to reverse.

All eating disorders are progressive. Although exercise bulimics live with the internal belief that tomorrow he or she won't eat so much the reality is that, without professional help or strong peer support that day rarely comes.

Whether you are one of the fitness professionals who receive this letter or simply someone who exercises regularly, it's important to challenge your belief system. Do you exercise for health's sake or to burn off calories so your body can become more perfect (or to maintain it's current shape)? Does your internal language include the self deprecating "I hate my thighs (or belly or arms)" comments that can be a clue that all is not well. Does missing a day or two of exercise throw you into a panic that you're going to get fat? If so, your thought patterns need adjustment. An effort, preferably with professional support, to reverse these thought patterns is a first step to getting well.

Most importantly if you are a fitness professional, NEVER encourage your class to exercise to burn off calories. Instead, remind them that exercise guarantees a longer and healthier life and a lower body fat percentage is only one of the many benefits of a balanced exercise and eating program.

Make a difference.